News

Graphic designer explores ailing high street

Wednesday, 18 July, 2012

Keiran Smart (23) from Oldmeldrum
graduated on 13 July from Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art in
Aberdeen with a BDes (Hons) in Graphic Design, after recently displaying his
work to the public at the School’s 127th annual Degree Show,
sponsored by BP.

Keiran, a pupil at Inverurie
Academy, chose to go to Gray’s School of Art as it was his local art school and
because of its good reputation.

Keiran’s final-year degree show
project examined the high street focusing on the city’s Union Street, and how
it has changed over the years. In
particular he looked at the number of independent shops that have been lost and
what has replaced them. His work
included a set of information graphics which highlight the visual changes in
the types of businesses that were once on Union Street.

He said, “The inspiration for my
show came from my family. My mum used to
run a shop in Aberdeen but decided to move the business entirely online when
long established stores like E&M closed.
Union Street, like many other high streets, is now dominated by big
brand names which have the biggest say on city centres.

“The look of the high street in
Aberdeen over the years has been staggering – it has transformed from a bustling
town centre to an empty street with ‘To Let’ boards littering the skyline.”

Keiran interviewed local
independent shop keepers who still provide an important part of the shopping
experience in cities like Aberdeen by providing non-generic stock. However, his research showed that many seem
to have been forgotten about with the majority being unaware of the Aberdeen
City Centre Partnership and feeling they are not engaged in the development of
the city centre.

Gray’s School of Art Degree Show
2012, sponsored by BP, showcased a plethora of undergraduate talent across a
range of disciplines including 3D and product design, painting, printmaking,
sculpture, fashion and textiles, graphics, digital media, visual communication,
photography and electronic media.

Keiran is currently working for a
design agency on a part-time basis but is in discussions with a fellow Gray’s
graduate with a view to establishing a new and innovative design business
within the city centre.